TORONTO, Ontario – A recently published report sheds light on a concerning trend of increasing deaths from multiple toxic substances in Ontario since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, released by the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network and Public Health Ontario, reveals that this trend is also apparent across Canada and in the United States. The data shows a sharp rise in overdose deaths involving substances like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, creating more complicated addictions that require nuanced treatments.
The report highlights the complexity of the issue, with an increasingly toxic and unregulated drug supply contributing to the rise in deaths from multiple substances. Research scientist Tara Gomes, the report’s lead author, emphasizes the challenges in addressing this issue, noting the difficulty in understanding the full complement of substances contributing to harm and how often they are being used together in different ways.
Data from 2021 shows that 2,886 Ontarians died from consuming a toxic substance, equating to the deaths of eight people every day. This number is five times higher than the number of people who died in traffic accidents in the province that same year and nearly double the amount in 2018. The study also found a significant increase in the number of deaths from at least two substances after the COVID-19 emergency was declared in March 2020.
The complexity of the situation is further compounded by the combination of substances such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants, which presents challenges in overdose response and treatment. When these substances are mixed, it complicates the overdose response, as naloxone alone won’t reverse the effects of the other drugs. This has led to changes in overdose response training, with the effectiveness of naloxone diminishing in the face of the complex drug supply.
Moreover, the report points out that deaths from toxic substance use were three times higher in northern Ontario compared to southern parts of the province in 2021. First Nations chiefs in northern Ontario have called for a public emergency and social crisis to be declared due to the disproportionate mental health and addiction issues the region is facing. The lack of access to addiction treatment in the province’s north, along with other factors such as intergenerational trauma and improper housing, further complicates the situation.
In light of the worsening crisis, healthcare professionals emphasize the need for better coordination between different parts of the system working to help people, as well as the importance of culturally appropriate treatment options. The report underscores the need for comprehensive and tailored solutions to address the multi-substance overdose crisis, recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to tackling this complex issue.
This rising trend of deaths from multiple toxic substances underscores the urgent need for effective interventions and support systems to address the evolving challenges in substance abuse and addiction.